Hidden sensors in an electronic device

ABSTRACT

An electronic device having one or more sensors is provided. The sensors may include any suitable type of sensor that emits or receives radiation (e.g., light waves) from the environment. The electronic device may include openings through which radiation may reach the sensors while keeping the sensors hidden from view. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed underneath an opening used for an audio receiver such that radiation is piped to the sensors using a light path or a chamfered surface along the opening. In some embodiments, the sensors may be embedded in a screen such that the radiation emitted by the sensors exits the screen instead of being reflected on the screen. In some embodiments, the sensors may be placed along the periphery of the display, such that access to the sensors is provided via discontinuities in a gasket used to couple the display to the electronic device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/242,909, filed Sep. 30, 2008 (now U.S. Pat. No. 8,324,578), which ishereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many different approaches may be used to enable electronic devices tointeract with users. For example, an electronic device may include adisplay on which information may be made available to a user. As anotherexample, an electronic device may include one or more input mechanismsby which a user may provide inputs to the device. As still anotherexample, an electronic device may include sensors for detecting theenvironment or events in the vicinity of a user. In response todetecting a particular event, the electronic device may perform anassociated operation.

The electronic device may include any suitable type of sensor. Forexample, the electronic device may include a proximity sensor, anambient light sensor (ALS), a pressure sensor, a light or infra-redsensor, or any other suitable sensor. In some embodiments, the sensormay include a radiation source for emitting radiation (e.g., a light orsound wave) and a receiver for detecting the emitted radiation. To emitor receive radiation, however, the electronic device may include one ormore apertures through which the radiation may propagate. For example,the electronic device may include a first aperture through whichradiation (e.g., light from a light emitting diode) may be emitted, anda second aperture through which the emitted radiation may be detected.

The apertures, however, may not be aesthetically pleasing and may callattention away from the aesthetically pleasing features of theelectronic device. It would be desirable, therefore to provide aperturesrequired for sensors in a manner that is aesthetically pleasing, or in amanner that hides one or more of the apertures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An electronic device having sensors hidden from view is provided.

In some embodiments, an electronic device having at least one sensor fordetecting the environment of the electronic device may be provided. Theelectronic device may include an audio receiver and an opening foremitting audio generated by the audio receiver through the opening. Anaudio mesh covering the opening may also be provided, for example tohide components within the opening from view or to prevent debris fromentering within the opening. The electronic device may include a firstsensor positioned underneath the opening and operative to emitradiation, and a second sensor positioned underneath the opening andoperative to detect radiation. The first sensor may be placed adjacentto the second sensor. The electronic device may also include a dividerpositioned between the first and second sensors and operative to preventradiation emitted by the first sensor from being detected by the secondsensor without exiting the electronic device (e.g., through theopening).

In some embodiments, an electronic device having at least one sensor fordetecting the environment of the electronic device may be provided. Theelectronic device may include an audio receiver and an opening foremitting audio generated by the audio receiver through the opening. Theopening may include at least two portions with a chamfered edge, towhich infrared paint may be applied (e.g., to direct infrared lightalong the edge of opening). The electronic may include a first sensorpositioned adjacent to the first portion with the chamfered edge andoperative to emit radiation, and a second sensor positioned adjacent tothe second portion with the chamfered edge and operative to detectradiation.

In some embodiments, an electronic device having at least one sensor fordetecting the environment of the electronic device may be provided. Theelectronic device may include a housing and a display that includesseveral light sources operative to illuminate to provide content to auser. For example, the electronic device may include a light emittingdiode (LED), liquid crystal display (LCD), organic LED, or any othersuitable light source or display type. The electronic device may alsoinclude at least one sensor embedded among the plurality of LEDs of thedisplay, such that radiation (e.g., infrared light) may pass through thedisplay to the at least one sensor.

In some embodiments, an electronic device having at least one sensor maybe provided. The electronic device may include a bezel and a displaycoupled to the bezel such that the bezel is positioned around theperiphery of the display. A gasket may be positioned between the bezeland the display, for example to retain the display within the bezelusing a press fit. The electronic device may include at least one sensorplaced underneath the display and at least one opening in the gasketbetween the bezel and the display such that the opening provides accessto the at least one sensor. A light pipe may be coupled to the openingto propagate radiation between the environment and the at least onesensor.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other features of the present invention, its nature andvarious advantages will be more apparent upon consideration of thefollowing detailed description, taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device havingseveral apertures for sensors in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention;

FIGS. 2A and 2B are cross-sections of illustrative windows in anelectronic device display that includes a mask in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3A is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative electronic devicein which sensors are positioned underneath an audio receiver aperture inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3B is a top view of the electronic device of FIG. 3A in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in which oneor more sensors are positioned at the edge of an audio receiver aperturein accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the electronic device of FIG. 4A in accordancewith one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device havingsensors embedded in a screen in accordance with on embodiment of theinvention;

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device having asensor embedded between a display and a bezel in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 6along a section having a gasket in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention; and

FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 6along a section having a light pipe in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

An electronic device having sensors for detecting the user's environmentis provided. To hide the sensors from view and provide a moreaesthetically pleasing device, different approaches may be used to hidethe windows through which the sensors may receive radiation (e.g., lightor sound waves). In some embodiments, the sensors may use existingwindows of the device, for example windows associated with an audioreceiver, to allow radiation to propagate to and from the sensors. Forexample, the sensors may be positioned underneath an audio receiverwindow of a display and connected to the window via a light pathoperative to direct light through the window and to and from thesensors. As another example, the window may include a chamfered edgeoperative to direct light or other radiation from the environment to aparticular location behind the window. The chamfered edge may beoperative to direct the light to one or more sensors positionedunderneath the window, adjacent to the chamfered edge. In someembodiments, the window may include several distinct chamfered edgeseach associated with distinct sensors.

In some embodiments, one or more sensors may be embedded in the screenof an electronic device. For example, if the electronic device includesand LED, OLED or LCD screen, one or more sensors (e.g., sensors usingLEDs) may be embedded among the light sources of the screen to emit ordetect radiation (e.g., light waves) to or from the environment. Thescreen may include one or more light pipes operative to direct radiationbetween the sensors and the environment. In other embodiments, one ormore sensors may be embedded adjacent to the boundary between a bezel(e.g., part of a housing) and the display. To prevent debris orparticles from damaging electronic device components, a gasket may beplaced between the bezel and the display. To provide access to thesensors located adjacent to the bezel-display boundary, the gasket mayinclude localized openings forming light pipes between the environmentand the sensors. The light pipes may have any suitable dimension,including for example dimensions selected based on the sensors used andthe type of radiation detected or emitted by the sensors.

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device havingseveral apertures for sensors in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Electronic device 100 may include bezel 102 and display 120retained within bezel 102. Display 120 may be coupled to bezel 102 usingany suitable approach. For example, display 120 may include a chamfer,or be coupled to a tab operative to engage an overhang in bezel 102.Display 120 may include screen 122 operative to provide information to auser. Screen 122 may include any suitable type of screen, including forexample an LCD or LED screen. Electronic device 100 may include opening114 through which audio may be provided by an audio component (e.g., aspeaker), for example for performing telephone conversations orlistening to audio. Electronic device 100 may also include windows 110and 112 through which a sensor output may be projected (e.g., throughwindow 110) and detected (e.g., through window 112).

Electronic device 100 may include any suitable type of sensor, includingfor example an electromagnetic sensor (e.g., RADAR), gas and liquid flowsensors, position sensors, optical sensors, acoustic sensors, or anyother suitable type of sensors that detect radiation in the electronicdevice. In some embodiments, an electronic device may include aproximity sensor having two components. For example, the proximitysensor may include an emitter (e.g., an infrared LED) and a receiver ordetector (e.g., an infrared receiver) for detecting radiation (e.g.,infrared light). As another example, the electronic device may insteador in addition include an ambient light sensor (e.g., a photocell).Electronic device 110 may include any suitable number of windows, andwindows having any suitable size based on the number and type of sensorsused for electronic device 100.

To hide windows 110 and 112 from view, portion 124 of display 120 (e.g.,portions of display 120 that are not positioned over screen 122) may bedarkened or include a mask. The mask may prevent all radiation or light(e.g., including radiation associated with sensors) from passing, andtherefore only be applied to sections of portion 124 other than windows110 and 112 (e.g., sections of portion 124 that are not adjacent to thesensors). Alternatively, an opening in a mask covered in IR paint mayprevent light in the visible spectrum from passing through windows 110and 112, but may allow radiation at other wavelengths (e.g., infra-redor ultra-violet light) to pass, and may therefore be applied to theentirety of portion 124.

To at least partially hide windows 110 and 112 from view, infrared inkmay be applied to the display 120 at windows 110 and 112. Infrared inkmay have low transmissivity of the visual light spectrum (e.g., toprevent a user from seeing windows 110 and 112), but high transmissivityof the infrared spectrum (e.g., allowing infrared light to be emitted ordetected by sensors underneath windows 110 and 112). FIGS. 2A and 2B arecross-sections of illustrative windows in an electronic device displaythat includes a mask in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Electronic device 202 may include display 204, mask 206 and infrared ink210, such that mask 206 is positioned between display 204 and infraredink 210. Window 208 may be provided in mask 206 to allow radiation topass through the display and out of or into electronic device 202. Mask206 may be constructed from darkened material to hide the componentsbehind display 204 from view. For example, mask 206 may include anopaque material (e.g., a black material), such as a plastic, compositematerial, metal, thin film, or any other suitable material. Infrared ink210 may be applied to the bottom surface of mask 206 to assist in thetransmission of radiation (e.g., waves) through window 210 and screen204.

Electronic device 222 may include display 224, infrared ink 230 and mask226, such that infrared ink 230 is positioned between display 224 andmask 226. Infrared ink 230 may be applied to the bottom surface of mask226 to assist in the transmission of radiation (e.g., waves) throughwindow 230 and screen 224. Window 228 may be provided in mask 226 toallow radiation to pass through the display and out of or intoelectronic device 222. Mask 226 may be constructed from darkenedmaterial to hide the components behind display 224 from view. Forexample, mask 226 may include an opaque material (e.g., a blackmaterial), such as a plastic, composite material, metal, thin film, orany other suitable material.

Although the approaches depicted in FIGS. 2A and 2B may providemechanism for masking portions of a display while providing windows forone or more sensors, these approaches require windows in the display inaddition to the audio opening (e.g., opening 114) that a user wouldexpect to see. Other approaches may therefore be used to provide portsfor one or more sensors using existing openings within the display. FIG.3A is a cross-sectional view of an illustrative electronic device inwhich sensors are positioned underneath an audio receiver aperture inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3B is a top viewof the electronic device of FIG. 3A in accordance with one embodiment ofthe invention. Electronic device 300 may include opening 304 in display302. For example, opening 304 may include an elongated opening throughwhich audio emitted by an audio receiving component of the device may beprovided to the user. Electronic device 300 may include audio mesh 310placed underneath opening 304, which may include any suitable type ofmesh operative to allow audio waves to pass through. In someembodiments, the holes of audio mesh 310 may be sized so as to preventdebris or fragments other from passing through opening 304 and impairingor destroying audio components or other sensors placed within opening304, but also to allow audio waves and other waves generated by ordetected sensors.

Electronic device 300 may include tunnel 312 (e.g., forming a lightpipe) located underneath mesh 310 through which radiation emitted fromor detected by a sensor may be ported. Tunnel 312 may have any suitabledimension, including substantially the dimensions of opening 304.Alternatively, or in addition, the dimensions of tunnel 312 may beselected based on the size of the radiation waves that are expected topropagate within electronic device 300. The audio receiver or audiocomponents providing audio output may be coupled to tunnel 312 using anysuitable approach, including for example a secondary tunnel, or in adifferent plane than that shown in FIG. 3A.

Sensors 320 and 322 may be positioned at the end of tunnel 312 to emitor detect radiation. In some embodiments, sensors 320 and 322 may bepositioned within the projection of the periphery of opening 304 (e.g.,sensors 320 and 322 are visible when looking straight into opening 304when mesh 310 is removed). Sensors 320 and 322 may include any suitablesensors. For example, sensor 320 may include an infrared receiver andsensor 322 may include an infrared emitter forming a proximity sensor.Sensor 322 may emit infrared radiation that propagates through audiomesh 310, reflects off of the environment back through audio mesh 310,and is received or detected by sensor 320. To prevent radiation emittedby sensor 322 from passing directly to sensor 320 without first passingthrough audio mesh 310 and into the environment, divider 324 may bepositioned between sensors 320 and 322. Divider 324 may have anysuitable size, and for example extend up to audio mesh 310 or a feature(e.g., an overhang) of tunnel 312.

FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional view of an electronic device in which oneor more sensors are positioned at the edge of an audio receiver aperturein accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4B is a topview of the electronic device of FIG. 4A in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. Electronic device 400 may include screen402 having opening 404. Opening 404 may include chamfer 406, which maybe constructed as part of a lozenge or rhombus. The size and angle ofchamfer 406 may be selected to form a light pipe operative to directradiation around the periphery of opening 404 (e.g., to or from theenvironment). To help direct radiation around chamfer 406, infrared ink412 may be applied to chamfer 406. Mask 410 may be applied to the bottomsurface of screen 402 (e.g., away from chamfer 406) to hide from viewthe electronic device components placed underneath screen 402. Thechamfer and other details or features of opening 404 may hide thetransition between infrared ink 412 and mask 410.

Electronic device 400 may include sensors 420 and 422 positionedunderneath chamfer 406, for example at opposite ends of opening 404.Sensors 420 and 422 may include any suitable sensor, including forexample the sensors of FIGS. 3A and 3B. As sensor 422 emits radiation,the radiation may be guided along chamfer 406 and out of opening 404into the environment. Radiation returning to opening 404 may be gatheredalong chamfer 406 and directed, using infrared ink 412 to sensor 420.Zones 430 adjacent to the ends of opening 404, where infrared ink 412 isapplied, may be the areas of screen 402 where radiation may be detectedor emitted.

FIG. 5 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device havingsensors embedded in a screen in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. Electronic device 500 may include screen 520 for providingcontent to a user. Content may be generated by a processor within theelectronic device and provided on a display. To illuminate the display,backlight LEDs 522 may emit light at particular frequencies, for exampleusing one or more light pipes to direct the emitted light.

In some embodiments, sensors 510 and 512 may be embedded among LEDs 522in screen 520 for detecting features or events in the environment.Sensors 510 and 512 may include any suitable sensor, including forexample the sensors of FIGS. 3A and 3B. Screen 520 may include one ormore alternative light pipes to direct radiation, such as infraredradiation emitted by sensor 512, out of display 520 and towards theenvironment. The radiation emitted by sensor 512 may reflect off of theenvironment, for example off of the user, and return towards display520. Display 520 may include one or more light pipes operative to directradiation received from the environment towards sensor 510 fordetection. By embedding sensors 510 and 512 in display 520, the sensorsmay be hidden from view to the user. In some embodiments, the sensorreadings may be time multiplexed with backlight LEDs 522 so that thebacklight created by the LEDs does not interfere with the sensors. Tofurther reduce the visibility of the sensors, the light pipes used todirect the radiation may be distributed along different portions ofscreen 520 to minimize the effect of the light pipes on the displayedcontent.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of an illustrative electronic device having asensor embedded between a display and a bezel in accordance with oneembodiment of the invention. FIG. 7A is a cross-sectional view of theelectronic device of FIG. 6 along a section having a gasket inaccordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 7B is across-sectional view of the electronic device of FIG. 6 along a sectionhaving a light pipe in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.Electronic device 600 may include display 610 coupled to bezel 602 usinggasket 620. Display 610 may be supported from within the electronicdevice by support 612, which may extend under some or all of display610. Gasket 620 may provide a seal between bezel 602 and display 610 toensure that debris and other particles do not damage display 610 orcomponents within electronic device 600 (e.g., as shown in FIG. 7A).Gasket 620 may have any suitable width, including for example less than0.5 mm.

Electronic device 600 may include sensors 630 operative to detectfeatures of the environment. Sensors 630 may include any suitable typeof sensors, including for example the sensors of FIGS. 3A and 3B (e.g.,an infrared emitter and an infrared receiver). To provide sensors 630with access out of the electronic device, gasket 620 may include a localopening (e.g., gasket 620 may be locally removed) in areas adjacent tosensors 630 to provide light pipe 632 through which radiation emitted orreceived by sensors 630 may propagate. The dimensions and shape of lightpipe 632 may be selected based on any suitable criteria, including forexample based on size and expected propagation pattern of radiationemitted or received by sensor 630, the location of sensor 630 withinlight pipe 632, the size of possible debris that could enter light pipe632, or any other suitable criteria. For example, the dimensions oflight pipe 632 may be selected to enable light having particularfrequencies or wavelengths (e.g., infrared light) to enter light pipe632 and propagate to sensor 630.

The above-described embodiments of the invention are presented forpurposes of illustration and not of limitation, and the presentinvention is limited only by the claims which follow.

What is claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: an audioopening; an emitter positioned underneath the audio opening andconfigured to emit first radiation through the audio opening into anenvironment of the electronic device; and a receiver positioned adjacentto the emitter and configured to receive second radiation through theaudio opening from the environment.
 2. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the audio opening comprises a speaker opening.
 3. The electronicdevice of claim 1, wherein the emitter comprises an infrared lightemitting diode (“LED”).
 4. The electronic device of claim 3, wherein thereceiver comprises an infrared detector.
 5. The electronic device ofclaim 1, wherein the emitter is separated from the receiver by adivider.
 6. The electronic device of claim 1 further comprising an audiomesh positioned between a portion of the audio opening and at least oneof the emitter and the receiver.
 7. The electronic device of claim 1,wherein the receiver is positioned adjacent to the emitter in adirection that is orthogonal to a direction of at least one of theemission of the first radiation and the receipt of the second radiation.8. A display comprising: a plurality of light emitting diodes (“LEDs”);at least one sensor embedded among the plurality of LEDs; and at leastone light pipe configured to direct at least one of: first radiationreceived from an environment of the display to the at least one sensor;and second radiation emitted by the at least one sensor to theenvironment.
 9. The display of claim 8, wherein the at least one lightpipe extends through the display.
 10. The display of claim 8, whereinthe at least one light pipe couples the at least one sensor to theenvironment.
 11. The display of claim 8, wherein the at least one sensorcomprises a receiver configured to receive the first radiation from theenvironment.
 12. The display of claim 11, wherein the receiver comprisesan infrared detector.
 13. The display of claim 11, wherein the at leastone sensor further comprises an emitter configured to emit the secondradiation to the environment.
 14. The display of claim 13, wherein theemitter comprises an infrared light emitting diode (“LED”).
 15. Thedisplay of claim 13, wherein the receiver and the emitter are positionedsuch that the receiver does not receive the second radiation emitted bythe emitter from within the display.
 16. An electronic devicecomprising: a bezel; a display positioned adjacent the bezel andconfigured to display content in a first direction; and at least onesensor positioned underneath a portion of the display and configured toone of: emit first radiation to an environment of the electronic devicein the first direction via an opening between the bezel and the display;and receive second radiation from the environment in a second directionthat is opposite the first direction via the opening.
 17. The electronicdevice of claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor is positioned awayfrom the opening.
 18. The electronic device of claim 16, wherein theopening comprises a light pipe for passing any one of the emitted firstradiation and the received second radiation.
 19. The electronic deviceof claim 16, wherein the at least one sensor comprises an emitterconfigured to emit infrared radiation.
 20. The electronic device ofclaim 19, wherein the at least one sensor further comprises a receiverconfigured to receive infrared radiation.
 21. A method of manufacturingan electronic device, the method comprising: providing a plurality ofwindows through a display; positioning a radiation source adjacent to afirst window of the plurality of provided windows; situating a radiationsensor adjacent to a second window of the plurality of provided windows;and masking at least a portion of the display to hide each of thepositioned radiation source, the situated radiation sensor, and theplurality of provided windows from view.
 22. The method of claim 21,wherein the situating further comprises situating the radiation sensoradjacent to the positioned radiation source.
 23. The method of claim 21,wherein: the display comprises a screen portion and a peripheralportion; and the providing comprises providing each window of theplurality of windows through a respective section of the peripheralportion.
 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the masking comprisesapplying a mask over an entirety of the peripheral portion, wherein theapplied mask comprises a plurality of infrared-painted openings thateach corresponds to a respective window of the plurality of providedwindows.
 25. The method of claim 21, wherein the positioning furthercomprises orienting the radiation source such that radiation emitted bythe radiation source can travel through the first window into anenvironment of the electronic device.
 26. The method of claim 25,wherein the situating further comprises orienting the radiation sensorsuch that the radiation sensor can receive the emitted radiation fromthe environment through the second window.
 27. The method of claim 21,wherein the masking comprises darkening the at least a portion of thedisplay.
 28. The method of claim 21, wherein the masking comprisesmasking only a predefined area of the display that surrounds theplurality of provided windows.